Transfer unit for expansion of tape library systems

(19)

(11)

EP 1 045 383 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	13.12.2000 Bulletin 2000/50

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	18.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/42

(21)	Application number: 00107658.7

(22)	Date of filing: 10.04.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: G11B 15/68

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

16.04.1999 US 293007

(71)	Applicant: AMPEX CORPORATION
	Redwood City, California 94063-3199 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Ryan, Dennis M. Redwood City, California 94062 (US)

(74)	Representative: Horton, Andrew Robert Grant et al
	BOWLES HORTON Felden House Dower Mews High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 2BL Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 2BL (GB)

(54)	Transfer unit for expansion of tape library systems

(57) A relatively simple and easily installed transfer unit is disclosed employing a movable cartridge bin assembly which travels horizontally between two or more cabinets of respective tape cartridge library systems, to enable the expansion of individual library systems thereby increasing overall mass storage system capacity. The bin assembly is presented to a typical cartridge handling robot of respective library systems as if it were part of the stationary bin array housed within the cabinet, which allows the cartridge to be accessed and loaded in a constant orientation. A drive means provides the translation of the bin assembly and cartridge, and depots at preset stop locations include sensor means for indicating the location of the bin assembly and the presence of a cartridge in the bin assembly.

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